How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on price tags and product descriptions it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying an authentic leather couch. It is important to get close and personal with the couch - smell, feel and then turn over a cushion to check the fabric.
For instance, one 'leather' couch CHOICE tested had contact areas (such as seats and arm rests) covered in genuine leather however the non-contact areas were made of coated polyester and cotton.
1. Smell
A genuine leather sofa should smell rich, natural and luxurious. Faux leather, however, typically smells chemically processed and artificial. If your couch smells bad it could be due to urine from your pet. In the majority of instances, a thorough cleaning will eliminate any smell. If you're not pleased with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will help restore moisture to the leather and make it more supple and less brittle, as well as more resistant against odors.
Baking soda is a great natural odor-removing agent that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use microfiber cloths to clean your leather couch. If the cloth begins to accumulate dirt, you can wring it or replace it with a fresh one. You can also put the solution in the spray bottle and spray it onto your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it over again.
Another natural way to remove the smells from your leather is to air it out. Set the couch in a sun-lit area to let it air. This will help eliminate unwanted odors and give it an aroma that is fresh and natural.
If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather fresh for longer by stopping it from taking in odors.
The smell of leather can be appealing, but it can be difficult to keep. Over time, it can absorb odors from smoking, cooking, or even body odor. These odors are difficult to remove, especially when your home is occupied by pets or children. Leather couches don't trap these odors as fabrics can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.
It's important to take action immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy poop. You can use the tips given above or a product such as Leather Honey to solve the issue. Prevention is the best solution however, so make sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Contact us if you have any questions.
There are a few indicators to look for when shopping for a leather sofa, but the most reliable way to tell whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is recognizable. The scent can fade with age, but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when a sofa is brand new.
A genuine leather sofa should also feel soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers on the other hand tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test, gentle press your fingers on the couch's surface and look for bumps. If you can't feel any bumps, the leather is probably bonded or faux leather.
If you see vertical seams stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another dead giveaway. This means that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.
The quality of a sofa's frame can have a significant effect on its durability however, this isn't always immediately apparent. Ask what type of wood was used to make the frame. This will help you select the right sofa that has longevity for a long time. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to prevent warping or mildew.
If you are on a tight budget, you can still find a genuine leather sofa that you will love. For real leather couch & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a fashionable and versatile choice that's frequently offered for sale and is easily personalized to fit your home.
The La-Z-Boy Manual Reclining Sofa is another budget-friendly option. It has a classic style and is available in a wide variety of fabrics that are stain-resistant. This sofa is somewhat difficult to put together at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Leather sofas have a certain appeal that other kinds of furniture can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and stand up to wear and tear better than fabrics. They can last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are dangers when buying a leather couch and it pays to be aware of what to look for before making your final choice.
If you're unsure if the sofa you bought is genuine leather the first thing to do is look at the materials tag on the frame to determine exactly what type of fabric or leather it's made from. However, you must utilize your own senses to assist you in making an informed decision if you are unable to find any information on the composition of the material used in the sofa.
A good way to tell is to take a close look at the couch's surface and look at the texture, shading and patterns in detail. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections and the structure, pattern, or shading will not be uniform. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or has a mesh-like backing instead of rough suede, that's an indication that it's fake or synthetic leather.
Check the back of the cushion casing. If it has stitched vertical seams on the back of the cushion, this is a sign that it's not genuine leather. The reason is because animal hides are limited in their size, and can only be cut so big. To ensure the best quality of their products, top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew through the entire back of a sofa to ensure that it's genuinely leather and not fake or bonded leather.
Finally, if you can try lifting up a corner of the sofa or cushion and inspect the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered with an woven fabric or covered in polyurethane, this is another indicator that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and coarse when touched.
4. Patterns
A leather couch is a timeless design for reasons. The soft, natural design and feel can add a touch of class to any living space. Modern tanning methods give it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sagging. Because each hide has distinctive marks and blemishes, grain, and marks, every leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
While prices and labels are great pointers, the best way to determine if you're buying genuine leather is to get close and personal with it. To get a better idea of authenticity, examine the surface texture and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any obvious blemishes on it, then it is likely to be faux or bonding.
Another obvious sign is a backing made of polyurethane on the sofa's back. This is a common feature of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and will be backed by materials that closely resemble the fabric used to make the furniture.
Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that has been constructed with care to last. If there aren't any seams, and the rear appears like a seamless cloth, then it's likely to be a fake or bonded leather couch.
If you've concluded that a sofa is genuine leather The next step is to pair it with the rest of your furniture in your living room. For a crisp, coordinated look, match your couch with other furniture made of wood and line it up with pillows that reflect the colors in your living space. Or, you can opt for a relaxed, dynamic layout by placing your couch against other furniture pieces and placing the addition of a coffee table.
Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to stop it from fading or forming scuffs. If you're looking to protect your investment by extending its life, you should consider applying a leather protection agent every once or twice per year.